Tag: Kano Pillars

Kano Pillars have strengthened their squad ahead of the second half of the NPFL season with the signing of attacking midfielder Williams Ayuba Yikat and striker Luis Dadong.

Yikat joins from Czech club MFK Karviná, while Dadong arrives from Wikki Tourists, with both players signing deals until the end of the season.

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The additions come as Pillars look to improve their attacking output, having scored just 15 goals in 21 league matches.

The Sai Masu Gida were beaten 2-0 in Bauchi in their Matchday 22 clash with Wikki Tourists Bauchi yesterday.

Kano Pillars have bolstered their attacking options with the signing of experienced winger Bernard Ovoke, who has joined the club until the end of the current season.

The agreement also includes an option to extend the contract by a further year, underlining the club’s confidence in the winger’s ability to make an immediate and lasting impact.

Known for his pace, trickery and direct approach on the wings, Ovoke is expected to add creativity and width to the team’s play as the season intensifies.

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Club officials believe his arrival will bring fresh energy to the flanks and provide additional attacking threats as the team pushes for its objectives.

Ovoke has been warmly welcomed into the fold and is already looking forward to donning the famous Sai Masu Gida colours and thrilling supporters.

Kano Pillars finally returned to winning ways after seven winless matches, defeating Ikorodu City 2–1 at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina.

The loss in Katsina  denied Ikorodu City the chance to reclaim top spot on the NPFL table.

Rabiu Ali set the tone with a third-minute opener before Olakunle Alaka doubled the lead in the 30th minute. Joseph Arumala pulled one back for Ikorodu City in first-half stoppage time, but Pillars held firm in a tense second half to secure a much-needed win. Despite the result, they remain bottom with nine points from 14 games, while Ikorodu City stay second on 24 points.

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In Ilorin, Katsina United climbed to eighth on the log after edging Enyimba 3–2 in a pulsating encounter. Jamilu Yusuf struck in the 32^nd  minute before Uche Collins extended the lead early in the second half. Enyimba substitute Stanley Dimgba reduced the deficit in the 60th minute, but Collins restored Katsina United’s two-goal cushion just two minutes later.

Issah Mohammed’s 64th-minute effort ensured a nervy finish, yet Katsina United—playing away from their home ground—held on to claim all three points. The defeat sees Enyimba slip to 14th place with 17 points as their inconsistent season continues.

Kano Pillars have suspended their Technical Adviser, Evans Ogenyi, following a string of disappointing results in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

The club announced the decision yesterday via their official social media channels after the Sai Masu Gida fell 1–2 at home to newly promoted Barau FC in Kano — their fourth defeat of the campaign.

Providing clarification, Pillars confirmed a temporary technical reshuffle to guide the team pending further notice.

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 “So far, the Sai Masu Gida have played eight matches, recording two wins, two draws, and four losses,” the club statement read.

In the interim, former captain and Assistant Coach Gambo Muhammad will lead the team alongside goalkeeping coach Suleiman Shuaibu, with Garzali Muhammad (Kusa) from Junior Pillars offering ad-hoc support.

Currently sitting 18^th  on the NPFL table, Pillars will look to bounce back when they host Niger Tornadoes on October 24.

Team docked 3 3 points, 3 goals

To pay N9.5m fine  and banished to Katsina

League body recommends demotion of  5 match officials

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has imposed severe sanctions on Kano Pillars following the unruly behaviour of their supporters during Sunday’s Matchday 8 home fixture against Shooting Stars at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano.

According to the Summary Jurisdiction Notice (Form 16) issued yesterday and signed by the league body’s Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, the four-time NPFL champions were found guilty of multiple breaches of league rules, including failure to provide adequate security, harassment and assault of match officials and visiting players, and general misconduct capable of bringing the game to disrepute.

Consequently, the NPFL fined Kano Pillars a total of ₦9.5 million for various infractions — ₦1 million each for poor security, throwing of objects, and supporters’ misconduct; ₦1 million for bringing the game into disrepute; ₦2 million for assault on Shooting Stars’ players and match officials; another ₦2 million as compensation for treatment and damages to the victims; and ₦1.5 million as compensatory damages to match officials.

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In addition to the financial penalties, the league body deducted three points and three goals from Kano Pillars’ accrued tally and ordered the indefinite closure of the Sani Abacha Stadium, forcing the club to play their home matches in Katsina until they can guarantee improved security and fan control.

The club has also been directed to identify and prosecute the culprits involved in the pitch invasion and submit a revised matchday security framework to the NPFL within seven working days.

Kano Pillars have 48 hours to either accept the summary sanctions or elect to face a disciplinary panel.

Meanwhile, the NPFL in a separate letter to the NFF Match Officials Appointment Committee has  requested a review of performance and stepping down of centre referee, Mohammed B Tuta of Adamawa State referees council and the assistant referees, Bem Japhet (Benue) and Shehu Isah (Adamawa).

For the match between Nasarawa United and Rangers, the NPFL are also requesting for the review of performance of centre referee Ikechukwu Taiwo of the Rivers State Referees Council and his assistant, Usman Opeyemi Edward from Osun State.

Former Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Kano Pillars, have   unveiled  new players in iconic cultural settings at an ancient textile market and a 15^th  century former royal residence.

Pillars Media Director, Isma ‘eel Abba Tangalashi took to social media pages of the club to announce the unveiling of a number of players in unusual locations sans links with football.

“We unveiled our new central defender, Mukhtar Muhammed from El-Kanemi Warriors, at the historic Gidan Makama, a 15^th -century Royal residence turned museum that stands as a proud symbol of Kano’s rich cultural heritage, ” Tangalashi wrote.

The club also posted the arrival of Rangers forward, Chiedozie Jude Okorie. His move from a legacy club from one geopolitical region to another legacy club in a far region easily caught the eyes.

“It’s always been my dream to play for one of the biggest clubs in Nigeria and it’s an honour for me to join such a historic club,” Okorie told  the Kano Pillars’ media team, referring to Pillars once dreaded stranglehold on the NPFL title for years.

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He added: “I want to help bring back the glory of the club. I believe that playing alongside big names like Ahmed Musa, Rabiu Ali and Shehu Abdullahi will definitely help me achieve my dream of lifting the league title with this great club.”

In a yet another significant intent to promote the cultural heritage of the ancient Kano City through football, Tangalashi further hinted:, “Watch as we unveil our new centre  forward, Chiedozie Jude Okorie (signed from Rangers Int’l), at Kano’s historic Kurmi Market founded in the 15^th  century by Muhammad Rumfa as a major Trans-Saharan trade hub.

He went on to explain that Kurmi in Kano’s  Hausa language, means  forest.

Okorie, a graduate of Godfrey Okoye University, joined Rangers from a Nationwide League One (NLO) team, Ingas Fc. He would go on to score four goals for Rangers in his first season, and also win the title with the Flying Antelopes in that debut season.

Kano Pillars management has vowed to investigate the remote and the immediate cause of the unruly image circulating in the media where one of the club’s officials was allegedly found to be manhandling a match official shortly after their junior team Nationwide U-19 Youth League tie against Kwara United in Ilorin.

Sai Masu Gida said it repudiates the act in strong term and that whoever that is found culpable in the dastard act won’t be spared if found guilty.

“The management of Kano Pillars FC is aware of a disturbing image circulating on social media involving a member of our traveling contingent to Ilorin for the ongoing Nationwide Under-19 Youth League,” Kano Pillars media wrote. “We want to categorically state that Kano Pillars FC strongly condemns any form of violence, misconduct, or hooliganism whether on or off the pitch. The club has immediately launched an internal investigation and is currently reviewing video footage of the match in question to ascertain the facts.

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“Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against the individual involved, in line with the club’s code of conduct and commitment to upholding professionalism, sportsmanship, and respect for the beautiful game.

“Kano Pillars FC remains dedicated to promoting youth development and football excellence with integrity. We urge our fans and the public to remain calm as we handle the situation responsibly.”

Unless there is a radical change by the management of Kano Pillars, it may tarry longer before suspended head coach, Usman Abdallah, is recalled amid growing frustrations by the keen supporters of the Sai Masu Gida.

Early last month, the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side issued a terse statement that the vastly experienced Abdallah was suspended for three weeks due to the team’s ‘poor performance and his conduct towards fans immediately after the Matchday 22 goalless draw against Bayelsa United.

According to the Pillars’ management, ‘the Sai Masu Gida have struggled to find consistency in recent matches, securing only one win in their last three outings. This dip in form has raised concerns among the management and supporters, who expect a higher level of performance from the team.’

Usman’s gesture towards the fans following the draw at the Sani Abacha Stadium, was deemed inappropriate by the management under the leadership of Alhaji Ali Muhammad Umar, leading to the disciplinary action. The club remains committed to maintaining professionalism and fostering a respectful relationship between the team and its passionate supporters.

But those in the know believe there is more to Abdallah’s suspension than meets the eyes, with words rife that the management of the club was hell bent in satisfying the ‘whims and caprices’ of few ultra-supporters hell bent in sabotaging the former Enyimba International Football Club tactician.

“Investigation of what? People are asking what I did, yet the management keeps avoiding the question. They just call me and say they want things to settle down,” Abdallah reportedly told The Punch “I don’t even understand why I was suspended. There are a lot of conflicts—supporters are at odds with the officials. Now, they’ve extended my suspension until after our match against Kwara United.

“I had a little commotion with about five people, and they assumed I was fighting the supporters. These are guys who act like the stadium or the club belongs to them, demanding money from the coach every month. I refused to comply, and they reported me to the chairman.”

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“Two days later, I explained the situation, and the fans understood.”

Yet a seasoned Kano-based administrator has shed more lights on the on-going shenanigans going on at Kano Pillars, adding it would be shame if the club is allowed to go down due to mismanagement.

“ First and foremost, I think this is the worst Kano Pillars’ management,“ he said pleading anonymity.“ If you look at some of the people on the present board, you would be wondering how they found their way into football management.

“ The question those in government should ask is whether the management of Kano Pillars are living up to their responsibilities to the players and the coaching crew in particular ?

“ Kano Pillars should not be struggling in the NPFL but the problem is that the club is under poor management system.”

Dwelling on the plights of Abdallah, he said the refusal of the urbane and highly trained coach with top UEFA coaching certifications, was as a result of his perceived ‘difficulties’ by some unscrupulous elements parading themselves as supporters of the Sai Masu Gida..

“ There are just about five or six people who are causing problems for Abdallah and it has nothing to do with his competence,” he continued.“ These are guys who one can safely say are area boys who reside close to the stadium and they always want to be given substantial sum of money by anybody handling Kano Pillars.

“ The only way out is for the management to be pro-active and call the bluff of these selfish few and bring back Abdallah immediately.”

Pressed if the Kano State government cannot come to the rescue of Kano Pillars management in respect of the so-called ‘ultra supporters’, the straight talking administrator quipped:“ I don’t think sports or Kano Pillars is their priorities.”

Despite the present situation, Abdallah still has a subsisting contract with Kano Pillars and it remains to be seen how they are going to wriggle out if they fail to honour their contractual agreement with the former Katsina United coach.